Reach and Cover

[baudbard]

If I am attacking with a reach weapon from behind an ally, does my enemy get a cover bonus to AC? I understand that range weapon attacks suffer from a cover bonus, aside from attacking into melee, but I am unclear as to whether or not reach weapons have a similar issue. I have searched this site using google and was unable to find a satisfactory answer, also my casual reading of the SRD did nothing to illuminate me further. My thx for any help you can offer.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Yes, but keep in mind it's soft cover.

"Creatures, even your enemies, can provide you with cover against ranged attacks, giving you a +4 bonus to AC. However, such soft cover provides no bonus on Reflex saves, nor does soft cover allow you to make a Hide check. "

The actual rule you are looking for is this: "When making a melee attack against a target that isn’t adjacent to you (such as with a reach weapon), use the rules for determining cover from ranged attacks."

 

[Hypersmurf]

If I am attacking with a reach weapon from behind an ally, does my enemy get a cover bonus to AC? I understand that range weapon attacks suffer from a cover bonus, aside from attacking into melee, but I am unclear as to whether or not reach weapons have a similar issue.

Yes, they do.

Soft Cover: Creatures, even your enemies, can provide you with cover against ranged attacks, giving you a +4 bonus to AC. However, such soft cover provides no bonus on Reflex saves, nor does soft cover allow you to make a Hide check.

and

When making a melee attack against a target that isn’t adjacent to you (such as with a reach weapon), use the rules for determining cover from ranged attacks.

Soft cover provides cover from ranged attacks. When using a reach weapon, you use the rules for determining cover from ranged attacks. Therefore soft cover provides cover from reach weapons.

-Hyp.

 

[Quikill]

Here is an interesting question regarding the topic.

If you use the rules for ranged attack vs. cover, would the Coordinated Shot feat, (Heroes of Battle) apply to a reach weapon when using it from behind an ally?

It would make sense since your using the rules for ranged attacks vs. cover, though since your making melee attacks I don't know if it would still apply because the feat specifies ranged attacks.

 

[RigaMortus2]

If you use a Reach weapon to attack an enemy that is involved in a grapple with an ally, do you handle it the same as a ranged attack (ie rolling randomly to see if you hit the enemy or the ally)?

 

[Infiniti2000]

If you use the rules for ranged attack vs. cover, would the Coordinated Shot feat, (Heroes of Battle) apply to a reach weapon when using it from behind an ally?

Though I don't have the book to confirm the text, it's unlikely because merely using the rules to determine cover for reach weapons as you do for ranged attacks does not make the reach weapon a ranged attack. So, no per the rules, which confirms your logic.

If you use a Reach weapon to attack an enemy that is involved in a grapple with an ally, do you handle it the same as a ranged attack (ie rolling randomly to see if you hit the enemy or the ally)?

No. It's a melee attack, not a ranged attack. Furthermore, there's nothing about grappling and cover having anything to do with one another.

 

[dcollins]

If I am attacking with a reach weapon from behind an ally, does my enemy get a cover bonus to AC?

Yes. It was easier to find (like many things) in the 3.0 rules. For example, from the 3.0 SRD (or 3.0 PHB p. 132):

Cover and Reach Weapons
If a character is using a reach weapon, another character standing between the attacker and the target provides cover to the target. Generally, if both of the other characters are the same size, the one furthest from the attacker has one-half cover (+4 AC).

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

Remember kids, if you see a rules argument burst into flames - Reach... and Cover!